5 best players in Boston Celtics history

4. Kevin McHale

McHale started less than half his games as a Celtic (400 of 971), but he is still fifth in franchise history in points (17,335), second in offensive rebounds (2,358) and field goal percentage (.554).

McHale was a key figure in the re-establishment of the Celtics-Lakers rivalry in the 1980s. His notable clothesline of Lakers’ forward Kurt Rambis during the 1984 NBA Finals, which would have definitely drawn a substantial suspension if it happened today, helped set the tone for Finals matchups that would occur later between the two teams.

The Celtics won three titles during McHale’s time with the team, in 1981, 1984 and 1986. He was a seven-time All-Star, a two-time NBA Sixth Man of the Year and he earned All-NBA Defensive Team honors six times (first team three times, second team three times).

McHale was part of one of the greatest front courts in NBA history, with Larry Bird and Robert Parish, and he was the one of the three that had to accept a bench role for most of his career. That team-first attitude is not often found today, since starting status carries cache regardless of actual playing time.

McHale didn’t physically look the part of a great player, with arms that looked too long even on a 6-foot-10 inch frame. But his ability to score in the post was virtually unrivaled during his career, and the big men of today could take some lessons.